03/03/2026

CSU student brings VR bootcamp to Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Jack Berney

CLEVELAND — Sierra Schrader’s passion for helping others started when she was in high school.

“This is what I wanted to do with my life,” said Schrader. 

Schrader is in her final year as an occupational therapy doctoral student at Cleveland State University. She’s completing her capstone project at the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

“Using that occupational therapy lens, we really want to increase their independence and confidence,” she said. 

Schrader uses virtual reality modules from a program called Floreo to simulate tasks like going to the grocery store, crossing the street and more.

Russell Frankino, with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said the technology helps foster a sense of independence in its learners.

“We work with families, and it allows us to practice skills that could possibly be in an unsafe environment or something that needs a level of repetition or communication,” Frankino stated. “It allows them to have so many more opportunities for practice and to be exposed to new things.”

The VR bootcamp is the latest of camps put on by the county for adults with developmental disabilities.

“There has long been a request and a need for individuals who are transitioning out of high school into the adult world to learn the skills that can help them be more independent, to either live on their own eventually, or to have more independence in their family homes or living with other people.” Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Director of Service and Support Administration Jo Elle Barath said. 

Schrader hopes to develop these skills beyond the bootcamp and keep making a difference in a space that means a lot to her.

“The goal moving forward is to do one-on-one lessons with the individuals who are interested in continuing using VR,” Schrader said. “To increase their confidence in practicing those skills before they have to go into the real world, where it can be a little bit overwhelming. It’s taken a lot of hard work to complete this. I’m proud to showcase it. I find great joy in supporting these individuals in becoming independent.”